6AM City In-house

Flash back to the NC State Fair 📸

Flash back to the NC State Fair
A couple on a roller coaster at the NC State Fair in 1974.
“Roller Coaster” was taken in 1974. | Photo by Avery Danziger
Every year, the NC State Fair is chock-full of picture-perfect moments. Perhaps it’s a couple devouring a sugar-dusted funnel cake or joyous faces lit up by the multicolored lights of carnival rides. The fascinating photo opportunities are endless.

That’s why Chapel Hill photographer Avery Danziger has taken thousands of photographs of the fair since 1972. Although Avery’s career has led him to places around the world like Mexico and Turkmenistan, he continues to revisit Raleigh’s annual tradition to capture nostalgic — and unexpected — moments.

Four men sitting in front of a food stand at the NC State Fair in 1975.

Strangers hanging out in front of a hamburger joint at the NC State Fair in 1975.

Photo by Avery Danziger


Avery first visited the fair with his parents when he was 6 years old. He recalls wandering off on his own to explore the midway, watching professional wrestling in J.S. Dorton Arena, and peeking into tents to catch glimpses of dancing women.

As an adult, Avery returned to the fair with his black-and-white film camera to search for interesting backgrounds and patiently wait for special moments to unfold in front of him. He was often drawn to scenes featuring oversized vegetables, prize-winning livestock, carnival games, and visitors simply hanging out.

“I love walking around and looking at what people are doing,” Avery said. “I have a tremendous amount of faith in the power of serendipity — unusual things will always present themselves if you’re open to seeing them.”

A girl choosing a prize at the NC State Fair in 2015.

A game booth at the fair in 2015.

Photo by Avery Danziger


Avery’s photographs cover a span of 50 years, documenting both the continuities and changes of the fair. So, what’s different now? “There’s been a huge uptick in bizarre forms of food and it’s much more crowded,” Avery said. “And the cultural diversity has exploded.”

Select prints of fair scenes from Avery’s black-and-white film and digital color photography collection can be viewed in-person during his “A Fair of the Heart: NC State Photographs, 1972-2022" exhibition. The show runs from Fri., Oct. 21-Sat., Nov. 12 at Durham’s Through This Lens Gallery.

Avery plans to return to the fair this year — so look out for a new photo in his exhibition. Can’t wait to see more? Click the link below.
2 MORE RETRO FAIR PHOTOS
Flowers Plantation

Click here to have your event featured.

Today
  • Arts on the Hill | Thu., Oct. 20 | 5:30 p.m. | Dorothea Dix Park, 1030 Richardson Dr, Raleigh | Free | Strengthen your community ties through films with NC roots and spoken word poetry.
  • Hidden Harry Potter Film Talk | Thu., Oct. 20 | 6-7:30 p.m. | Zoom | Free | Learn about the secrets behind Harry Potter films.
  • Raleigh Fashion Fest | Thu., Oct. 20 | 5-9 p.m. | Fenton, 855 Cary Towne Blvd, Cary | $0.00 - $95.00 | Watch fashion shows + shop local boutiques to support The Women’s Center.
Friday, October 21
  • Hippo Campus | Fri., Oct. 21 | 7 p.m. | The Ritz, 2820 Industrial Drive, Raleigh | $48.00 | The indie-rock band will perform with support from Chai.
Saturday, October 22
  • Geek and Grub Market (Halloween Edition) | Sat., Oct. 22 | 4-8 p.m. | Fred Fletcher Park, 820 Clay Street, Raleigh | Free | Dress up in your Halloween best to trick-or-treat, play giant board games, and browse items from local artisans.
  • Raleigh’s International Wine Festival | Sat., Oct. 22 | 12-9 p.m. | City Plaza, 443 Fayetteville St, Raleigh | $0.00 - $40.00 | Sip vino from 25 international wine suppliers + enter the Halloween costume contest.
Sunday, October 23
  • NC State Fair | Sun., Oct. 23 | 9 a.m.-11 p.m. | State Fairgrounds, 4285 Trinity Rd., Raleigh | $5.00 - $13.00 | Get your fried food fix, play games, ride rides, and see the mega vegetables on the last day of this year’s fair.
Plan Ahead
  • WALKinar - A Commute Smart Raleigh Vision Zero Event | Tue., Oct. 25 | 11 a.m.-12 p.m. | Online, Raleigh | Free | October is WALKtober! Learn about Raleigh’s Vision Zero efforts and how to become a sighted ally to the visually impaired community at this virtual WALKinar (fancy name for webinar).*
  • Adult Nights: Nocturnal by Nature | Fri., Oct. 28 | 7-10 p.m. | NC Museum of Natural Sciences, 11 W. Jones St., Raleigh | $20.00 | Explore the uncensored side of science by dancing beneath a dinosaur, holding a human brain, seeing rare specimens and oddities, and more — costumes encouraged.*
We have a monthly guide filled with events + activities you can plan for in advance. Click the button below to bookmark ideas for upcoming date nights, family outings, and time with friends.
100+ MORE EVENTS
Lowes Foods

Weather
  • 65Âş | Mostly sunny | 5% chance of rain 🌤️
Today Is
Community
  • Remember and honor the lives lost during last week’s mass shooting at the Raleigh Healing Together vigil this Sun., Oct. 23. People will gather from 3-4:30 p.m. in front of Duke Energy Center for the Performing Arts at 2 E. South St. (WRAL)
Open
  • Sneaky Penguin Brewing Company, located at 7449 Six Forks Rd., is softly launching this week. The new North Raleigh taproom will kick off its regular hours on Tues., Oct. 25. 🍺
Traffic
  • City Council authorized nine speed limit reductions (by 5 to 10 mph) during this week’s meeting. Affected streets include: Fairview Road, Granite Street, Henslowe Drive, East + West Kaplan Drive, Mangrove Drive, Oak Forest Drive, Sierra Drive, and Virgilia Court.
Development
  • Rezoning requests were approved for two new downtown towers. One could rise up to 20 stories on South Boylan Avenue across from Wye Hill, while the other could reach 40 stories on the site of The Longleaf Hotel and its adjacent property. 🏗️ (Triangle Business Journal)
Drink
  • City leaders approved a downtown Durham social district, similar to Raleigh’s, on Monday. The district will allow people to drink alcohol outdoors in specially-branded cups and could begin as soon as Thurs., Dec. 1. (WRAL)
Try This
  • Don’t miss the last Jazz in the Square performance of the season, tonight in Moore Square. The Second Line Stompers will perform from 6-8 p.m. While you’re in the area, shop from local makers at the Raleigh Night Market in City Market. 🎷
Cause
  • Volunteers are needed for the Day of the Dead 5K, benefiting the Brentwood Boys & Girls Club. Volunteers will help guide runners + work the water stations. Sign up. đź’€
Watch
  • Dix Park is hosting a Halloween double feature on Sat., Oct. 29. “Hocus Pocus” starts at 7 p.m., followed by “Scream” at 9 p.m. Come in costume for themed activities, sweet treats, and a parade. Bonus: There will be food trucks. 🎞️
Seasonal
  • WRAL Nights of Lights — downtown Raleigh’s only drive-thru holiday light show — will return to Dix Park on Fri., Nov. 25. Pro tip: You can ride your bike through the lights on Wed., Nov. 30 + Wed., Dec. 7. Purchase tickets.
Plan Ahead
  • Pullen Park’s Holiday Express is returning this December for the first time since 2019. The event features train rides with holiday lights, Santa, s’mores, a blizzard boogie dance party + more. Tickets will go on sale Thurs., Nov. 10 at 9 a.m. đźš‚
Shop
  • With holiday get-togethers just around the corner, a sturdy and stylish serving tray is a must. We love this one from Etsy because it can be personalized with your stain of choice and custom text. Bonus: You can even add handles or a lazy susan turntable.*
Learn
  • Did you know? Babbel offers multiple ways to learn a new language (think: lessons, podcasts, videos, and live online classes). RALtoday readers can choose from 14 languages with lessons that focus on practical, everyday phrases — plus useful tips and cultural knowledge to better understand the words they’re learning. Me encanta. 🗺️ *
Content marked with an * is brought to you by our advertising partners and helps make this newsletter free.
HomeTrust Bank

Look for these items on your ballot đź‘€

2022 election guide for Raleigh voters
Skyline
Are you prepared for the general election? | Photo by Michael Robson
The statewide general election is on Tues., Nov. 8. Here are some important local ballot items to learn about before you vote.
This is not a comprehensive list of all of the items you will see on your ballot. Find your voter details, jurisdictions, polling place + sample ballot here.

In-person early voting begins today. Click the link below for where to go.
EARLY VOTING LOCATIONS
6AM City In-house
THE WRAP
Today’s issue was written by Anne.

Editor’s pick: When I was at the Raleigh Iron Works media preview, all signs pointed to Andia’s Ice Cream. From its pop-up station serving sundaes topped with freshly-flamed marshmallows to the coloring pages plastered around the event, I had a sweet feeling this award-winning company was coming to Raleigh. I’m so excited that it’s now official.

Missed yesterday’s newsletter? A new food and beverage hub is coming to North Hills.
Connect with us.

Editorial: Cat George, Anne Tate, Sarah Leonhardt, Erin McPherson, Ashlea Hearn, Emily Shea | Send us a scoop, question, or feedback.

Sales: Charis Painter | Advertise with us.
ADVERTISE | SHOP | CAREERS | ETHICS

Did a friend forward this free newsletter to you?
SUBSCRIBE

Content marked with an * is paid advertising. Content marked with an ^ is created by our content studio. The company may also generate commission from affiliate links in the newsletter.

Change your preferences or unsubscribe here.

Copyright © 2023 6AM City Inc, All rights reserved.

P.O. Box 2505, Greenville, SC 29602

ADVERTISE | CAREERS | ETHICS | PRIVACY | THE BUY